[2] The Chocó poorwill was originally described as Caprimulgus rosenbergi, in a genus that was later split into multiple genera.

For a time it was treated as a subspecies of ocellated poorwill (Nyctiphrynus ocellatus) but plumage, vocalization, and genetic differences show it to be its own species.

The chin is dark brown with cinnamon speckles and the throat has a large white patch.

Juveniles are similar to adults but lack the two white spots on the wing and their back and breast markings are more chestnut.

Its population size is unknown but is believed to be decreasing due to accelerating deforestation for settlement, conversion to oil palm plantations, and other uses.